3 brews on Tuesday afternoon

[dalehileman]

i No. 2 Son:

I use this approach to report this afternoon's observations because I feel we ought to share our experiences, however aspirant they may be among Realbeer's relatively sophisticated compeers. As you know, Tuesday is my favorite day of the week because I allow myself 3 tastings

Asahi Draft Beer, Super Dry: Not dry at all. The term is a come-on to attract the macho beer taster or proponent of the really dry American Macro. As you may be fully aware if you follow Realbeer at all, the Asahi brews get low marks for being notably bland. However it's an acceptable blandness and I nonetheless like it at 3.8

Samuel Adams Winter Lager: A real disappointment, flavorless, 2.3

Smithwick's Irish Ale: A letdown on all counts; lives up to our consistent observations about UK ales at 1.5

Best regards, Dad

[MeridianFC]

Asahi has always struck me as basically the eastern version of western macro lager, though it is somewhat less offensive than most.

I actually like the Sam Winter Lager. It's not as robust as the label proclaims but I wouldn't say it's tasteless at all.

Minor correction, Smithwicks is not from the UK. You are correct however that is it naff. I would call Smithwicks tasteless.

[steveh]

However it's an acceptable blandness and I nonetheless like it at 3.8

Samuel Adams Winter Lager: A real disappointment, flavorless, 2.3

Wow, flavorless? Are you sure you didn't reverse those reviews?

As I doubt the Asahi would have stunted your palate for the Sam Winter, I have the feeling you may have sampled it too cold -- then again, the Winter has been out of season for a couple months, so it could very well have gone bad.

lives up to our consistent observations about UK ales

By "our," can we presume you mean you and your son? Have you tried any of the Fullers labels yet? Highly recommended and might just change your opinion(s) of UK ales.

S.

[MeridianFC]

While I'm definitely a booster for all things cask and believe it's the only true way to sample almost all British Ale, there are some that are very good examples in the bottle or even keg. In addition to the aforementioned Fullers, which are excellent:

Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil
Hambledon Nightmare Porter
Gales Prize Old Ale
JW Lees Harvest Ale
JW Lees Moonraker
RCH Pitchfork
Adnams Broadside
Conniston Bluebird Bitter
Conniston Bluebird XB
Ridgeway Bitter
Arran Gold
Inveralmond Lia Fail
Fraoch Heather Ale
etc.

[East Coaster]

Minor correction, Smithwicks is not from the UK. You are correct however that is it naff. I would call Smithwicks tasteless.

Phew I was about to pick one up at a store the other day but then opted to grab something more interesting.

Thanks for the diversion.

[beerking]

+1 for Fullers, and I would take it a step further by suggesting the absolute best way to appreciate British ale, in America, is a pint (or several) of the Cheswick Ordinary on draft.

[dalehileman]

Asahi has always struck me as basically the eastern version of western macro lager, though it is somewhat less offensive than most.

It's not nearly as dry as our macros

I actually like the Sam Winter Lager. It's not as robust as the label proclaims but I wouldn't say it's tasteless at all.

Of course no brew is utterly tasteless; even most water has some flavor

Minor correction, Smithwicks is not from the UK. You are correct however that is it naff. I would call Smithwicks tasteless.

I gather then the Dublin isn't in Northern Ireland. So I use "UK" loosely

[dalehileman]

Wow, flavorless? Are you sure you didn't reverse those reviews?

Quite

As I doubt the Asahi would have stunted your palate for the Sam Winter, I have the feeling you may have sampled it too cold........

Could be, my palate isn't that sophisticated

By "our," can we presume you mean you and your son?


Yes

Have you tried any of the Fullers labels yet?........

My recall isn't that good, maybe No. 2 will remember and respond; but I doubt it; if it's from the UK I instantly suspect it of blandness

[MeridianFC]

I gather then the Dublin isn't in Northern Ireland. So I use "UK" loosely

Last time I looked Baile Átha Cliath was still in the Republic of Ireland situated to the south of Northern Ireland (home to the Hilden Brewing Co.), that later being a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

[steveh]

I gather then the Dublin isn't in Northern Ireland.

Um, not hardly. :D

S.